Production Underwriting Attorney (TX)

Westcor Global (formerly Ardán); Round Rock (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Employer paid disability and life保险

Flexible spending accounts

401K with company match

Paid time off and company paid hobbies

Wellness resources

Job summary

Westcor Global (formerly Ardán) seeks an experienced Title/Real Estate Underwriter to analyze and insure real estate transactions across Texas and nearby states. You will work with title examiners, agents, and attorneys to determine insurability and resolve title defects.

The role emphasizes risk assessment, regulatory compliance, public speaking, seminars, and collaboration with internal teams to support closings and education for clients.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Real Estate Law/Underwriting Real Estate Transactions in Texas or nearby states.
• At least 5 years' experience in title insurance, preferably in Texas or surrounding states.
• Familiarity with the Texas Basic Manual for Title Insurance; strong legal research using Westlaw or Lexis.
• Public speaking and experience creating PowerPoints and outlines for professional education courses.

Responsibilities

• Work with title examiners, agents and other parties to determine insurability.
• Analyze and evaluate recorded documents for ownership and legal descriptions.
• Explain chain of title, exceptions, and requirements to customers and managers.
• Recognize title defects and formulate curative solutions.
• Assess risks and liabilities and report to the relevant managers or underwriter.
• Review surveys and insured documents for specific closings when required.
• Collaborate with title agents and escrow staff to meet closing deadlines.
• Return calls and emails from all parties in a timely manner.
• Advise title agencies on regulatory compliance.
• Prepare and present seminars to title agents and others on real estate topics.
• Prepare underwriting guidelines and memoranda as needed.
• Liaison between underwriting and other Westcor departments as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Manager or Senior Counsel.

Skills

Real Estate Law

Underwriting

Legal research

Public speaking

Negotiation

Adaptability

People skills

Tools

Westlaw

Lexis

Job description

• Works with title examiners and title agents and other parties to the real estate transaction to determine the conditions of the title and insurability by considering the effect of documents such as deeds, mortgages mechanics liens, tax liens, judgments, assessments, probates and other matters of record.
• Analyze and evaluate pertinent recorded documents for determination of ownership, accurate legal descriptions, and any effect on the title to real estate.
• Explain chain of title, exceptions, and requirements to customers and managers.
• Recognize title defects and formulate curative solution.
• Assess risks and liabilities that may jeopardize the company, and bring these matters to the attention of the local title manager, state title manager or underwriter, as appropriate.
• If required by a specific closing file, review surveys prepared on properties and other proposed documents to be insured such as mortgages, mortgage modifications, etc.
• Works closely with the title agent and escrow staff to meet deadlines for closings and assist with answering questions related to issuance of the title commitment policies.
• Return all calls and emails from all parties to the title transaction in a responsive and timely manner.
• Advise title insurance agencies on regulatory compliance.
• Prepare and present seminars to title agents and others relating to real estate topics and other relevant matters.
• Prepare written underwriting guidelines and memoranda as needed.
• Liaison between the Underwriting Department and other departments in Westcor such as Title Plant, Agency/Sales, Claims, and Corporate Legal as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Manager or Senior Counsel.
• Extensive knowledge of Real Estate Law/Underwriting Real Estate Transactions in Texas or one of the surrounding 4 states as it relates to real estate, a general understanding of the law regarding probate, intestate succession, marital property, homestead, bankruptcy, contracts, corporate law, and trial and appellate procedure.
• At least 5 years' experience working in title insurance, preferably in Texas or one of the surrounding 4 states (preference will be given to those with greater experience).
• Familiarity with the rules and procedures contained in the Texas Basic Manual for Title Insurance and strong legal research skills using Westlaw or Lexis in order to handle unique situations.
• Public speaking skills and experience as it relates to drafting and creation of PowerPoints and outlines for professional education courses suitable for real estate agents, escrow officers and attorneys.
• Ability to collaborate and act decisively with abstract thinking with creative solutions and strong negotiation skills.
• Adaptability, Patience, and understanding of customer needs and the pressures they work under (Preference will be given to those evidencing strong people skills).

Essential Functions

• Works with title examiners and title agents and other parties to the real estate transaction to determine the conditions of the title and insurability by considering the effect of documents such as deeds, mortgages mechanics liens, tax liens, judgments, assessments, probates and other matters of record.
• Analyze and evaluate pertinent recorded documents for determination of ownership, accurate legal descriptions, and any effect on the title to real estate.
• Explain chain of title, exceptions, and requirements to customers and managers.
• Recognize title defects and formulate curative solution.
• Assess risks and liabilities that may jeopardize the company, and bring these matters to the attention of the local title manager, state title manager or underwriter, as appropriate.
• If required by a specific closing file, review surveys prepared on properties and other proposed documents to be insured such as mortgages, mortgage modifications, etc.
• Works closely with the title agent and escrow staff to meet deadlines for closings and assist with answering questions related to issuance of the title commitment policies.
• Return all calls and emails from all parties to the title transaction in a responsive and timely manner.
• Advise title insurance agencies on regulatory compliance.
• Prepare and present seminars to title agents and others relating to real estate topics and other relevant matters.
• Prepare written underwriting guidelines and memoranda as needed.
• Liaison between the Underwriting Department and other departments in Westcor such as Title Plant, Agency/Sales, Claims, and Corporate Legal as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Manager or Senior Counsel.

Competencies

• Extensive knowledge of Real Estate Law/Underwriting Real Estate Transactions in Texas or one of the surrounding 4 states as it relates to real estate, a general understanding of the law regarding probate, intestate succession, marital property, homestead, bankruptcy, contracts, corporate law, and trial and appellate procedure.
• At least 5 years' experience working in title insurance, preferably in Texas or one of the surrounding 4 states (preference will be given to those with greater experience).
• Familiarity with the rules and procedures contained in the Texas Basic Manual for Title Insurance and strong legal research skills using Westlaw or Lexis in order to handle unique situations.
• Public speaking skills and experience as it relates to drafting and creation of PowerPoints and outlines for professional education courses suitable for real estate agents, escrow officers and attorneys.
• Ability to collaborate and act decisively with abstract thinking with creative solutions and strong negotiation skills.
• Adaptability, Patience, and understanding of customer needs and the pressures they work under (Preference will be given to those evidencing strong people skills).

Physical Demands

This role is mostly sedentary and requires the ability to sit for long periods each day. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate orally and through e-mail. The employee uses hands and fingers to type, handle, and reach. The ability to operate office machinery such as computer, phone, copier, printer, etc. in the commission of daily duties. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

However, the candidate should also be prepared to travel within Texas and the 4 surrounding states by either car or airline, and to stand or sit for extended periods to teach courses for real estate agents, escrow officers or attorneys.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate. However, it is expected that the person in this position will often work remotely and telecommute.

Ardán Offers Some Great Perks

• Health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Employer paid disability and life insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• 401K with company match.
• Paid time off and company paid holidays.
• Wellness resources.

Note:

This job description is not intended to be an exhausted list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.